Maersk unveils green methanol-powered feeder vessel in Copenhagen ceremony.

Maersk, the global shipping giant, has announced the completion of its first carbon-neutral vessel. The Danish-flagged ship, which can carry 2,100 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), has been christened and will begin its Baltic Sea route shortly. In a statement, Maersk declared that the new ship is “an important step toward the long-term goal of gradually transitioning the entire fleet to operate exclusively on green fuels.”

While docked in Copenhagen, the vessel will be the focal point of a series of events highlighting decarbonisation in the maritime industry. The company is working toward achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions before 2040, with an interim target of transporting at least 25% of its ocean freight using green fuels by 2030. “Our new ship serves as a concrete example of the changes that EU policies support. This is truly the embodiment of the Green Deal indeed,” commented Vincent Clerc, CEO of A.P. Moller – Maersk.

The feeder vessel will allow the crew hands-on experience operating using green methanol fuel and new engines. The conditions learned from this vessel will be invaluable when the company’s larger methanol-powered container ships join the fleet, which is anticipated to be by 2024. Forbes has previously described methanol as one of the most promising energy sources for the shipping industry’s path towards carbon neutrality.

The new vessel’s availability marks the culmination of a four-year project, with the finished product representing a significant milestone for al industry players and regulators. The shipping industry’s drive towards decarbonisation is seen as critical in achieving global climate goals, yet a significant stumbling block against progress. The new vessel represents a positive step towards reducing maritime’s carbon footprint.

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